Gerald Hugh Tyrwhitt-Wilson 14th Baron Berners (1884-1950)

Born September 18th 1883, in Apley Hall, Bridgenorth, ShropshireDied April 19th 1950,Faringdon House, Berkshire14th Baron Berners, succeeded his uncle to the barony, originally created in 1455, in 1918.Extract from The peerage (pdf)

Gerald Hugh Tyrwhitt-Wilson, 14th Baron Berners, inherited his title in 1918 and went on to win fame as a composer, writer, painter and lovable eccentric. After schooling at Eton he worked abroad for ten years becoming attached to British Embassies in Constantinople, Rome and Paris, where he left to devote his time to musical composition.

Berners had an inspirational effect on creative people. In 1926 he met the young Rex Whistler who was studying painting in Rome. He introduced Rex to the finest things Italy had to offer - food and wine as well as scenery, Art and architecture

In 1930, when his mother died, at the age of 46 this sophisticated individualist came to live at Faringdon House. He was an accomplished writer, painter and composer.Stravinsky called him the best British composer of the twentieth century and Diaghilev commissioned him to compose the score for the Triumph of Neptune. Berners made Faringdon House the centre of a glittering social circle, entertaining some of the most diverse, creative and influential people during the 1920s and 30s. His typical weekend guest list could have included any one or all of the following: Aldous Huxley, HG Wells, Salvador Dali, Gertrude Stein, Edith Sitwell, Nancy Mitford, Stravinsky, Diaghilev, Diana Mosley, Cecil Beaton, Evelyn Waugh, Duff Coopers, John & Penelope Betjeman, Elsa Schiaparelli… Berners’ themed parties were legendary.